January 25, 2011

This is the kind of post I've been putting off until I thought I'd magically become better at writing because this experience deserves a recap that I can't really provide. But the story deserves telling, so way back in September, I went to Antwerp for the opening of Stephen Jones' exhibition at the MoMu to see decades' worth of the milliner's designs and to get inside the head behind the hats. (Did I lure you in with my movie trailer-like pun? No? Go back and read it in this voice and you'll see what I mean.)

The exhibit is named the Accent of Fashion, but proves that an accent doesn't have to mean a mere addition, and in this case can be more of an exclamation point. The hats are displayed in four parts -- Adventure, Rococo, Science, and Glamour -- offering a look into how Mr. Jones draws from varied sources for inspiration and sees his art in relation to the world around him. Throughout the room are photographs by the likes of Juergen Teller and Nick Knight and mannequins complete with the full looks of designers like Comme des Garcons and Dior, showing how different creatives have interpreted his work and vice versa. It's easy to see his importance as a figure in fashion right away.

What's more, the hats can be reflective of Stephen Jones himself, brimming with character. He is the Mad Hatter, and a short documentary on Mr. Jones showing in one room of the exhibit allows us to see this correlation between the artist and the art. The clip also helps put into perspective his work in a cultural context, more specifically, punk/DIY roots. I got the feeling watching it that only from starting out by making hats for his school friends could one develop such a clever use of resources (train tickets, Doc Marten soles, Barbies, and shattered mirrors, to name a few).

In the DIY vein, I was asked to cut the ribbon with Mr. Jones, as a blogger and stuff. At first I panicked because I thought they meant my ribbon, the one I wear on my head, but apparently they meant the ribbon for the exhibit! I obviously felt very honored, but the Oscar speech I'd prepared in my African Cats voice was cut off by all the people rushing in. It still felt special to open it with Mr. Jones (who I refer to as that mostly because then I can pretend I'm in a Bob Dylan song) and, as someone with at least an ounce of appreciation for creativity, see the exhibit.

Love the hats, the concept for this exhibition is SO inspired. Millinary facinates me; thanks SO much! your photography was, as usual really really good. (Whenever I try to take photos at exhibitions they tend to end up dark and blurry, so I realise how some times it can be difficult.)

So glad you shared these pics and this experience with your readers. How great it most have felt to be invited to such a unique and beauty-filled espectacle.Once again, glad you shared it with us.www.dressdiary.com

So. Freaking. Cool. Wow, these hats are utterly fabulous--I love all of the resources he used, it's like he dug through someone's recycling bin and glued together all the items that weren't old garlic jars. Even cooler is that you got to cut the bow! And you were wearing a matching bow! Whoa (rhymes with bow). I'm inspired to get to work on my own hats now, maybe those old trolley tickets will come in handy...

Saw you featured in Glamour. You rock! I have three baby daughters and hope to encourage their individuality as they grow up, so I was very inspired by your words about girls needing to form their own identities in lieu of what's published and marketed to them. Keep it up, sister.

Oh, gosh, I wish I'd known about this earlier; I was thinking of going to Antwerp in January but decided to postpone it to April... if I'd known about this I would have gone, but it closed earlier this week! At least I got to see photos, though; thank you!

Um, are you kidding!?!?! This post is like an inspiration overload! Thanks for putting all of it up. That hat where it’s kinda like one rectangle sitting on another looks so edible? If it had a voice (Thank you <33), I’m sure it would be saying, “No, you can not eat me! No, I am not pastry!”

P.S Where’s Kanye when you need him! I could see him struggling to hold back the crowd… “Hurry, Tavi! This is really killing me, but I’ma let you finish!!!”

mmm...this is soo hard to choose...aah...:D well it did feel..like it was put up for me...all the magnificient creationS...really...and those words by rei kawakubo are soo utterly sweet..what else could one expect..!!!!bisous!!!!

Ah I remember seeing his exhibition at the V&A ages ago and it was truly fantastic. Truly a mad hatter indeed, he has a thrilling imagination and its incredible to see his work grow and change over the years. I loved his 'sex on the brain' hat... did you catch that one by chance? :)

wow, thanks for making and uploading all these pics! some of the headpieces look plain ridiculous and forced, others are frigging awesome and seem to emanate their own 'alternative world' bubble. btw, the flickr link doesn't work as supposed to, but one can still access your uploads from the default page.

Wow. This is the most inspiring thing I've seen in a LONG time! Really really insane, such amazing and incredible hats that are basically perfection. Did that even make sense? :)www.notimeforchitchat.blogspot.com

Thank you for sharing. I know what you mean by holding off writing the blog because you want to write it better when you can better explain it and feel like it.But I think you did a great job of telling the story plus, the pictures also speak for itself.I love the quote of Rei Kawakubo, especially I am also a fan of hers.Thanks!

I am so JEALOUS!! I went to Antwerp specifically to go to MoMu but when I got there it was closed because they were putting this exhibition together, I must of have only been a week too early. :( Did you get to go to the Paris Mode et Textile while you were in Europe??

I love his work! He's fantastic! I feel like my grandmother had a hat of his; she had this one that was very intricately made of a country landscape complete with little houses and hills and trees. I'll have to find out....Tavi, I'd be extremely honored if you looked at my friend and my new blog and left some comments. We just started last week, and if you left some critiques on how to better improve our blog, that'd be s'wonderful. Find us at: http://conventfashion.blogspot.com/

I've heard so much about you and today started looking at your blog and try to understand it (i'm from barcelona (Spain) and my english isn't too good, haha! I think you are very intelligent and you have a vision of fashion very interesting and different.

Hi, Tavi!I was wondering what you thought of the Rodarte show. I was blown away when it came out, and I actually adapted Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." poem to fit the collection. It's posted on my blog, so please check it out when you have a second :)Thanks,Ted

These are absolutely fantastic; words literally cannot express my awe sufficently. They're so sculptural and intricate and it's amazing. I really love the water-coloured-wind-blown feel of those pink and blue hats.

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